Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. will decline his $2.5 million player option for the 2025-26 season to become an unrestricted free agent.
It was an expected decision, as the 25-year-old guard is looking to secure a higher value contract after returning to the NBA last season for the Los Angeles Clippers and Bucks. HoopsHype, a USA TODAY NETWORK property, initially reported it was likely in early June.
The Journal Sentinel confirmed on June 29 that Porter’s representation informed the Bucks the option will lapse.
The Bucks tried to sign Porter as a free agent in the summer of 2024 before he ultimately decided on joining the Clippers, and Milwaukee acquired him at the trade deadline in a deal that sent MarJon Beauchamp to L.A.
In 30 appearances (two starts), Porter played about 20 minutes per game and shot 49.4% from the field and 40.8% from behind the three-point line, numbers which would easily be career-bests for a season.
In the first playoff games of his career, Porter averaged 11.2 points and 5.4 assists against Indiana.
Teams can begin speaking to and agreeing to contracts with unrestricted free agents at 5 p.m. on June 30. Deals cannot be officially signed until the new league year begins on July 6.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. will decline player option, test free agency
Reporting by Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
